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New York Rangers: Five possible replacements for Brendan Smith

By Timothy Haggerty

Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 19, 2017; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames defenseman Michael Stone (26) skates against the Anaheim Ducks during the first period in game four of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 19, 2017; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames defenseman Michael Stone (26) skates against the Anaheim Ducks during the first period in game four of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /

Michael Stone

Michael Stone is an unrestricted free agent this summer who could serve as a great replacement to Smith.

Stone played last season for the Arizona Coyotes and Calgary Flames. He was acquired by the Flames at the trade deadline.

While with the Coyotes, he struggled due to the fact that his entire team struggled. His talent level showed in Calgary where he was able to excel. He had six points and was a +5 in 19 games. For scale, he had just nine points and was a -5 through 51 games as an Arizona Coyote.

Stone has lots of value amongst this summer’s fairly weak free agent pool. He shoots right handed which is always useful to have from a defenseman.

Smith was left handed but played the right side for the Rangers. Smith is better than Stone at puck control, but Stone really can do a lot more on the offensive end in the right system.

Stone had a full point more than Smith for point share last season. I am not a huge believer in that statistic, but it does show that the numbers suggest Stone had a better year than Smith last year.

At the very least it looks like Stone would make an adequate replacement for Smith.

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